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Stapleton Crutchfield

Stapleton Crutchfield served as a Confederate artillerist in the American Civil War. He was closely associated with Stonewall Jackson until the latter's death. Crutchfield lost a leg in battle, removing him from service in the field. He returned to field service in the last campaign in Virginia, losing his life.

After the outbreak of war, Crutchfield served as major in the 9th and 58th Virginia Infantry Regiments, eventually being promoted to lieutenant colonel. He was elected to become colonel of the 16th Virginia Infantry in early 1862, but declined the position due to health reasons.

Crutchfield participated in the Seven Days Battles with Jackson's command. His artillery was at the head of Jackson’s column at the Battle of White Oak Swamp. The fire of his guns drove off federal gunners, permitting the Confederate infantry to cross the swamp, briefly. Union reinforcements, however, forced the Confederates to withdraw.

Crutchfield commanded the artillery reserve of Jackson’s corps at the Battle of Chancellorsville. He was wounded on May 2, 1863 when he brought up guns to fire on the Union batteries at Hazel Grove, losing a leg as a result.[4] He was in an ambulance when Jackson, wounded by his own men, was placed in it too. At one point Jackson had the ambulance halted to ease his companion’s pain.

After recovering from his wound, Col. Crutchfield served as an artillery inspector for coastal defenses beginning on March 16, 1864.[5] Then he was assigned to command artillery units in the defenses of Richmond, Virginia, including the Chaffin's Bluff Defense Line. When the city was abandoned by the southern army, his gunners became an infantry brigade in the division of Maj. Gen. George Washington Custis Lee. In that role he lost his life at the Battle of Sayler's Creek on April 6, 1865, being shot in the head while leading an attack on the Union VI Corps.

Opinions of Crutchfield varied. Edward Porter Alexander thought him a candidate for promotion to brigadier general before the leg was lost, but Campbell Brown thought him "competent but lazy".[6] A recent writer has opined that Jackson tolerated Crutchfield's tendency to sleep late because of his abilities.[7]